Major organic food initiative launched
Atlantic Organics, which will be based in Leitrim, will bring together the three leading organic bodies in the northwest region and will have input from counties Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo, Donegal, Fermanagh and Derry.
The company has attracted support from EU programmes aimed at promoting cross-border development and will research, develop and market organic foods.
Its main aim is to market high-quality food produce using organically-produced beef and lamb, as well as a range of locally-produced vegetables, herbs, cereals, fish and specialist meat products.
The company will be owned by 250 co-op members. Company chairman Stan McWilliams said the new venture marked the first attempt to bring together organic farmers and development agencies on both sides of the border.
“We expect that there will be a large increase in the number of farmers going into organic production because of the CAP reforms and it is vital that there will be markets for their products.
Matching this increased production of organic food with suitable markets will be a key priority of Atlantic Organics,” he said.
Mr McWilliams added that the company would work with processors and retailers to make organic food more accessible and affordable for customers both in Ireland and abroad.
The organic food market was worth €35 million last year but is expected to treble in value to almost €90 million in 2006.
The market for organic produce across Europe is estimated to be worth more than €10 billion.
The new company will spend over €1 million over the next three years on training and development. It has already received over €640,000 from EU programmes to put appropriate management structures and personnel in place.
Atlantic Organics will incorporate the Organic Centre in Leitrim and two major organic producer co-operatives - North West Organic Co-op and Leitrim Organic Farmers Co-Op.
